// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Hermesh say to his date? You mesh well.

Hermesh חֶרְמֵשׁ‎ (Hebrew)
Etymology: Scythe
Hermesh Hermesh Hermesh
Coordinates: 32°25′24″N 35°7′9″E
Country	Palestine
District	Judea and Samaria Area
Council	Shomron
Region	West Bank
Affiliation	Mishkei Herut Beitar
Founded	1984
Founded by	Mishkei Herut Beitar
Population  (2024)	295

Hermesh (Hebrew: חֶרְמֵשׁ, lit. 'Scythe') is an Israeli settlement in the western Samarian hills of the West Bank. Founded in 1984, it is organised as a community settlement and falls under the jurisdiction of Shomron Regional Council. In 2024 it had a population of 295.

The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal, but the Israeli government disputes this.

History

Hermesh was established in 1984 by the Mishkei Herut Beitar settlement organization. Most of the residents of Hermesh are secular Jews or non-Jews. More than half of the population are new immigrants, mainly from the former Soviet Union. Their motivation for living in the region is not ideology but quality of life.

On 29 October 2002 three residents of Hermesh, Orna Eshel (53), Hadas Turgeman (14), and Linoy Saroussi (14) were shot dead by a Palestinian gunman who entered the village armed with a Kalashnikov. A soldier and a resident were wounded in the attack. Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility.

On 20 June 2005 Hermesh resident Yevgeny Reider (28) was killed in a shooting attack near Baqa ash-Sharqiyya, in the northern West Bank. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack. On 30 May 2023 settler Meir Tamari (32) was killed in a shooting attack near the entrance of the settlement. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Archaeology

Frasin, an archeological site located across the road is identified with Kfar Parshai, a site mentioned in the Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, Abodah Zarah, 31a). It also preserves the biblical name 'Peresh' (of the Tribe of Manasseh).